Study in Australia from Tonga

The vibrant, welcoming life and seasonal climate make Australia the perfect destination for students from all over the world including from Tonga.  Study in Australia from Tonga which leads to a path of Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Australia.

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for International Students worldwide, with Melbourne deemed to be the largest student city in the world – with some 300 000 students across 8 universities with 100 000 of those students international students.  Australia is a great place to study.

As a student from Tonga you will feel at home as Australia is home to thousands of students from Tonga at any given time.

1. Australia welcomes students from every country each year, Tonga included.
2. Australia offers people who study in Australia an easier path to permanent residency and eventual Australian citizenship, making the Study in Australia program incredibly popular with students worldwide.
3. You can work part-time while you study in Australia.
4. Your partner and children can come with you to Australia while you study and your partner can work full time.
5. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere and the academic year starts in January/February so you need to follow the application dates carefully as they may not match those of your home Country

There are many reasons to travel to Australia from Tonga, it is a famous destination for holidays but did you know Australia is one of the world’s most popular destinations to study.  Here are some of the main reasons why you should study in Australia. 

Diverse Culture   

Australia is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicity, and its university campuses are home to many nationalities from around the world. While Australia does not lack major universities such as the University of Melbourne, Australian National University and Sydney University, the facilities on their campuses demonstrate their commitment to providing students with a high-quality education. 

Great Place to Live

Australia’s leading Cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are always listed among the best in the world to live, this is certainly a good indication of Australia’s high standards of living. The quality of education and its proximity to other countries is undeniably important, but there are many other advantages to studying in a country as diverse as Australia.    

Research has shown that diversity increases creativity, innovation and problem solving, which undoubtedly improves the university experience and fosters a sense of community. 

Easier Student Visa Requirements     

Compared to the UK and the US, which have much stricter requirements, Australia is much friendlier to international students from all over the world and indeed very welcoming to students from Tonga. 

International students can stay in Australia for up to two years depending on their qualifications. This means that you have the opportunity to add international training and experience to your CV. Australia also has one of the largest populations of Tonga citizens outside of Tonga so you will find friends from home and Australia alike, even if you’re thousands of miles from home. 

1 – the Australian way of life fits well with Tongan students.

Australians are known for their relaxed lifestyles and many of Australia’s major universities are located in remote areas, offering many hiking trails, parks, beaches and other outdoor activities. Australian students approach their free time with a sense of pride, as they undoubtedly take their education very seriously.  

The naturally beautiful nation of New Zealand is also just a short flight away and a social paradise. If you can rely on it to be a safe environment where you can move to a safer environment, you can count on a good education, good food and great people. 

2 – Australia’s outstanding Academic reputation

Australian universities have built up an outstanding academic reputation over the years and are highly regarded worldwide. The Australian education system is a combination of practical and independent learning, with extensive experience. Students have the freedom to improvise and experiment with their own projects and to cultivate them as independent learners.   

3 – Australia will take Students from Tonga for all or part of their course

If you’re going to enjoy some Australian sunshine, there are plenty of ways to make your academic dreams come true at the same time. Australian institutions offer a wide range of educational opportunities, from basic education to advanced degrees. If your institution offers technical or vocational training, there is a chance that Australia will take it over for you.  

4 – Australia offers Student visas for University as well as College and shorter Technical Courses

If you want to enroll in Australia and attend basic education courses, you can go to Australia to attend one of the many Australian colleges. 

5 – The Cost

The Cost of Australian Study is less than the UK and the US while being excellent quality.  

6 – Offer paths to Permanent Residency and Citizenship of Australia

Studying and working in Australia offers citizens of Tonga the opportunity to achieve more points towards their application to live in Australia on a permanent basis.  Australia realises that people who have committed to study in Australia and have lived in Australia are well positioned to decide if they want to stay longer term and make great candidates for Permanent Residency – thus Australia grants extra immigration points to these candidates. 

7 – Australian Universities have partnerships with universities all over the world including Institutions in Tonga

This means you may be able to complete part of your local degree in Australia or transfer your local credits. Some universities have lists of “partner universities” abroad, which makes the transfer process much smoother. This usually requires a detailed assessment, but you may not get credit for the issues you have examined.

The academic year in Australia starts in early March and lasts until November. Most universities have two semesters per year, but some universities have three semesters.   

The majority of undergraduate courses in Australia usually last three years, but if you choose an honorary doctorate, you will need an extra year.   

Undergraduate Degrees

• Bachelor’s Degree – Usually 3 years
• Bachelor’s Degree (with Honors) Usually 4 years
• Double Degree (Usually 4-5 years and you graduate with 2 full Bachelors Degrees)

Postgraduate Degrees

• Masters Degree – Usually 18 mths – 2 years
• PHD – Usually 3-4 years

Australia has an extensive list of very good Universities.  There are 8 Universities in particular which are world-renowned and appear each year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Lists, which rank the world’s best Universities against each other.  These Universities call themselves the Group of 8.  Here is a list of some of our top universities for those institutions that belong to the elite Group of Eight. 

The Group of 8 – Australia’s Top 8 Universities

The academic requirements you will need to study in Australia vary depending on the course you choose and the university you are applying to. Different access requirements are taken into account by different institutions, so you should check the course information carefully. For potential students wishing to study in Australia, a number of requirements must be met.

As English is the language of instruction and examination throughout Australia, sufficient English is a minimum academic requirement.  

Tuition costs:

These costs are an average cost, the fees of each University in Australia do vary.  Please contact your preferred institution to obtain the accurate fees for your desired course.  Also, note that the most costly degrees such as Medicine and Veterinary Science do cost more than the average listed below.

There are 2 main costs of living for international students from Tonga

1 – Accommodation

There are 2 main types of Accommodation available

University-based accommodation

Universities across Australia offer student accommodation on or near campus.  These student accommodations or student colleges generally offer your room and your meals are provided.  They also offer a great range of social activities and the benefit of being based on campus so you don’t need to commute each day.  The cost of these types of accommodation range from $140 – $350 AUD per week.

Private rental accommodation

Students may also choose to rent privately or rent with friends in a shared rental house.  The cost of a private rental varies greatly on where the University is based.  Also, these rentals will require you to factor in other expenses such as food, electricity and other household items.  The cost can vary between $130 and $270 per week (depending on how many other students you are sharing with and where you are located.

Some students from Tonga choose serviced accommodation for better amenities and when they book direct they get better long term price.

2 – Living Expenses

In addition to tuition fees, there are a number of other expenses incurred during university life. 

The Australian Government has given an indication of what you might expect to spend on living expenses each week.

Again the cost will vary depending on your own spending habits.

The Australian Government will require you to show you have funding available to be able to support yourself.  The Government has deemed this amount to be around $19 000 AUD per year.

Yes! You can work up to 20 hours per week.

One of the great things about being an international student in Australia is that the Government allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time hours in your University Semester breaks if you wish.  This helps many students support themselves during their stay and offers valuable international work experience. 

Take a look at the jobs available in Australia to get an idea of where you might work and what you might earn.

1 – Choose which course you would like to study

Many students already know the field they would like to study.  It is important to remember that not all Universities or colleges offer all courses.  You need to find the course you would like to study and you will need to know the level you would like to study at, eg diploma, undergraduate degree, Masters, PHD etc. 

2 – Choose which University you would like to attend

Find out which courses are offered at your university and compile a shortlist of your preferred university. Not all courses at every university will be the same, so it is important to remember that no matter which subject you choose, you will always remember which university is best for your subject. 

3 – Apply for your chosen course at your chosen university

Some universities charge an application fee, and others are free to apply, but you need to understand the application process and look up the university website.  There is no centralised application process in Australia, each University or college handles its own admissions process.

4 – Accept your offer from the University

If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of offer from the university. If it is an unconditional offer, this means that you have already fulfilled all the requirements and can accept the offer immediately. However, if it is a conditional offer, it means that you will be granted a place to study if you meet all the conditions set out in the letter.

5 – CofE  Confirmation of Enrollment

Once you have accepted the offer, you will receive confirmation of your registration (CofE). This document is a prerequisite for applying for a student visa.  You must wait for your CoE to arrive before you submit your visa application.

6 – Apply for your Australian Student Visa

Requirements to study in Australia from Tonga

Here are the key requirements that you need to meet to study in Australia from Tonga

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) certificate from an Australian university
• Proof that you are a genuine student intending to stay temporarily in Australia (This will be a Statement of Purpose document)
• English language proficiency
• Proof of sufficient funds for airfares, course fees and living expenses
• Health and character requirements
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) (insurance)

7 – Receive your student visa and buy your ticket to Australia 🙂  

Now you can book your tickets and make your plans for arriving in Australia.

There are dates you need to know to time your application correctly.

Australian Universities have 2 intakes per year.

Intake 1 – starts in late February – to be considered for this intake you must have your application submitted by Mid December

Intake 2 – Starts in July – to be considered for this intake you must have your application submitted by Mid May

The exact dates and requirements are different with each University and should only act as a guide to you.

Australia’s most popular student cities for students from Tonga

Melbourne  

Melbourne is also home to a wide range of sports that promote the teamwork and interaction that healthy students need, including football, basketball, football, rugby, tennis and rugby league.     

Considered one of the best cities, it has been voted the most livable city in the world for seven years in a row. 

Sydney 

Sydney is not the capital of Australia, as is often falsely claimed, but it is the city with the most research universities in Australia. 

Its fast-paced economy, high quality of life and high level of education make it a good place to find business opportunities after graduation anywhere in Australia. It offers a lively and fun environment for all city lovers with a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, restaurants and bars as well as a wide range of entertainment options.  

Brisbane   

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is Australia’s number two student city and is conveniently located to many residential areas and suburbs. 

This subtropical city is a great place to live if you feel more comfortable in a less dense environment compared to megacities like Melbourne and Sydney. It is also surrounded by many nature reserves and parks and hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Adelaide    

For over 170 years, Adelaide has provided students of all ages with the education they need to follow their dreams.   A lovely in a very livable city close to beaches and surrounded by world-famous farmlands producing some of the best wines and food – a foodie student’s paradise.

Canberra

Canberra is the Capital of Australia and home to The University of Canberra and the Australian National University ANU.   

  1. Apply for a working holiday visa in Australia

A working holiday visa might be just the thing for you when you finish your degree.  The visa allows you to travel and work around Australia as you please for a full year.  It is a simple and easily available option to extend your time in Australia if you don’t wish to be tied to a particular employer and want to have the freedom to travel and work through the country.  

  2. Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa

Your best bet to stay in the country without being tied to a specific employer or a type of work, a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) makes it possible for international students who studied in Australia for at least 2 academic years to remain in the country for up to 4 years.

The duration of this visa depends on your level of qualification:

• Diploma or trade qualification – 18 months
• Bachelor’s Degree (with or without Honours), Master’s by Coursework Degree – 2 years
• Master’s by Research Degree – 3 years
• Doctoral Degree – 4 years

This visa is to encourage students who have studied in Australia to remain and work.  This is a valuable opportunity to gain further experience as well as points towards a permanent residency application to Australia if you wish.  Post-graduation work experience will be valuable upon return to Tonga as it will give you experience others in the jobs market may not have.  

  3. Secure a Visa as a Skilled Migrant

If you have the right skills in a specific area that is in demand, you can try applying for a working visa that will allow you to live and work in the country.

Australia has different work visas with different requirements. Some may require employer sponsorship, some are based on a points system, and some have a maximum visa duration. It’s important to check through the details to see if you qualify.

Australia runs a huge skilled migration program with over 400 occupations determined to be in need within the country.  Citizens of Tonga are encouraged to apply.  Having studied and or worked in Australia gives you more points in the program and increases your chances of gaining a visa.  

Find out if your occupation is on the lists of occupations Australia needs by looking through our lists here  MTSSL and STSOL.

  4. Return home to Tonga

 If you would prefer to return home or onward to another nation for further study, that option is also available to you.  Australia will wish you well.

If you are looking for information on how to immigrate to Australia from Tonga rather than how to study in Australia from Tonga you can find the information you need in our complete guide on how to immigrate to Australia from Tonga.

You can explore all areas of immigrating to Australia to live, work, study or travel on our home page  AustraliaMadeSimple.com